Kenyan legislator Millie Odhiambo has publicly voiced her support for veteran lawyer John Khaminwa, announcing her intention to nominate him for the prestigious title of Senior Counsel in the next round of appointments. She expressed deep concern that the 87-year-old lawyer, who has served the nation for decades with courage and integrity, has yet to receive this recognition.
According to Millie, John Khaminwa is far from an ordinary lawyer. She described him as a brave legal practitioner who used the law to defend Kenyans during some of the country’s most challenging periods. At a time when many feared speaking out, Khaminwa stood firm, representing the poor, the weak, and those marginalized or mistreated by the system.
Throughout his career, Khaminwa has handled numerous landmark cases, championing human rights, democracy, and justice even when it involved significant personal risk. Millie emphasized that the freedoms and space enjoyed by today’s lawyers were made possible by sacrifices from pioneers like Khaminwa.
She questioned why such a distinguished figure has been overlooked for so long, arguing that the title of Senior Counsel should reflect merit, dedication, and impact rather than political influence, money, or connections. In her view, Khaminwa more than qualifies for the honour, even surpassing some of those who currently hold the title.
Millie pledged to personally nominate him in the upcoming round and advocate for his consideration. She stressed that Kenya must learn to recognize and honour its heroes while they are still alive, warning that waiting until after their passing would be a grave oversight.
Concluding her remarks, Millie stated that awarding John Khaminwa the Senior Counsel title would be a modest but meaningful gesture of gratitude for his long-standing service to the nation.
